Do ya think we need to mow the lawn???

Splendor of a Friday afternoon

Emma and I headed outside to our garden this afternoon to pick some of the many bundles of grapes that inhabit our greenhouse. She has so much fun outside exploring every rock and twig. And she was finding abandoned homes left by snails who’ve moved into studio apartments in the city. (rhubarb leaves) We collected herbs, tomatoes, pears, grapes and rhubarb today. We picked a container of blackberries two days ago but I think the weather is too cold to be expecting another crop. I’m not sure what to do with all the grapes. Maybe I’ll try to make jelly. And I’m not particularly fond of rhubarb but maybe Andreas will like a rhubarb dessert of some kind. As long as it’s got tons of sugar, I’m sure he’ll eat it. In fact, I’m thinking of just buying sugar and shaping it to look like food. It’ll save me TONS of time in the kitchen.

Visit from family

This is Andreas' niece, Elin (I think I may have spelled her name wrong, and I apologize). She's such a cute girl. We had a nice visit with Andreas' sister and her family from Sweden this past weekend. It probably would have been a bit nicer for them, had Emma not been sick, since we spent most of the time doting over our poor baby. I was good to see them again and they brought chocolates!! Damn these friendly foreigners!! Don't they realize all this chocolate is detrimental to my hips?? Enter Andreas' mom, Lisbeth. Sweet, sweet woman, knows I have a weakness for punschrulle and last time she came she had 3 boxes of them with her! Well, willpower is not something I generally brag about having and you can't be impolite and say, "gee, I really like that you bring these wonderful treats, but can you please not do it anymore". So, I did what anyone would do. I took one for the team.....or 5. And I loved every one!

Incidentally, if you are interested in trying punschrulle, you can find them in the Swedish food market at your local IKEA. Andreas would also recommend the Mazarins and Princess cakes (which I proudly made for his birthday 2 years ago).

So proud of my girls!

Yesterday was the first train ride to school alone for Hanna and Eden. They did a fantastic job not getting lost in a foreign country! After school, they got on the wrong train. But Hanna knew to get off at the next station and wait for a train going in the right direction. I'm SOOOO proud of her for knowing what to do. I mean, we went over every possible scenerio but still, too much information to kids just does not compute. So, for her to remember what to do is astonishing to me. It could have been a panic situation where you just ball up in a corner somewhere and cry (that's probably what I would have done). But she handled it beautifully, with her little sister in tow. And when they came in the door and said they got on the wrong train, I almost didn't believe them at first. They were still home in a reasonable amount of time and spirits were up. But after she explained that it was simply a matter of having to go to the bathroom so bad she wasn't concentrating on which train was which, it all made sense. When pee backs up into the brain, stuff happens! Way to go girls!! I love you, Wingus and Dingus!!

Girls love school

Hanna and Eden are loving school. I don't think they have done much as far as actual school work goes yet, but they took a field trip yesterday. And on Mondays they take a bus to a swimming pool. They have also learned a few Danish words. "my name is...what is your name"...etc. The after school program is very fun for them. When I come to take them home they wish they could stay and play longer. Today, they are trying out the train system all by themselves. I am confident that they will have no problems since the last two days I've gone with them, Hanna has known exactly what to do. But sometimes I can't help but think they are still just babies! I can't believe how fast they are growing! I'll feel a lot better when 4:00 rolls around and they are home safe and sound. And just as they are getting into the train routine, that will all change. In a few days they will be taking a bus instead. So they will be walking to the school here in Græsted to get on the bus that goes to the Gilleleje (pronounced Gill-el-eye) school. It will be nice once they are all settled into the busing routine.

Mamma Bear Sicky?

I think I have a bug or something because I've really been dragging the last couple of days. I didn't even get out of my pajamas until 1:30 today and that was only cuz I had to get the girls. I've got zero energy and all I want to do is sleep. Wish my mommy was here to take care of me. :(

First Day of School

Today is the first day of Danish school for Hanna and Eden. I am happy to say the commute went off without a hitch. The girls and I had a short train ride and then a short walk to get to the school. Emma and I will go to school again this afternoon to meet them and help them take the train home. We anticipate a bus ride will be how the girls get to school in the future, and hopefully we will only be taking the train a few more days before that is lined up.

I am very relieved after going there and talking with the teacher. She seems very nice and their work plan seems VERY good for someone like Hanna. They don't have scheduled times during the day for math, science, language, etc. or sit and do worksheets all day long. Instead, they do more group activities such as games and outings (all in Danish of course) to help them adjust and make learning fun. There are many different age groups in this class of about 12 kids so Eden and Hanna will be together most of the day. She made it seem as if the class was like a family and I have more confidence now that the girls will thrive there. Also, a bonus for Hanna is that there is a 9 year old girl from New Jersey in the class so she will have someone to relate to. The teacher, Janne, says the kids typically stay in the reception class for a year. By that time they are generally ready for regular Danish class. Also, there is an after school program which Janne said she recommends the girls attend. It's just like a giant day care in the school where they can meet and play with other children. She says the best and quickest way for them to learn the language is to be in this setting, playing and learning from other Danish kids. I think they will love it. And they will be able to take the bus home afterwards. School is from 8:10 to 1:10, so a very short day. Then the after school program lasts until 3pm. Actually it lasts until 5 but the bus will only run until 3. I am excited to hear how they liked it!